Coming just after the 2016 Rio Paralympics, the conference, on October 25-27, will examine how disability empowerment and inclusion can help transform our world, with daily themes designed to tackle key topics such as employment, education and training; independent living and ageing; and international relations and sport.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, the UK minister for disability, work and health Penny Mordaunt and ministers from Germany, India and Hong Kong will also attend and give keynote addresses.

Over the course of three days we hope to motivate and energise people across the world by bringing new ideas and sharing best practices to help create a society which is better for everyone - Dr Stephen Duckworth

RIWC is being hosted in the UK by Shaw Trust, which works to deliver opportunities for disabled and disadvantaged people across the UK by helping them into employment.

It is aimed at researchers, policy makers, employers, government, people with disabilities, and practitioners and will see representatives from the United Nations, China Disabled Person’s Federation and World Bank also attend.

Specialists from a variety of backgrounds and industries will look to influence policy at a global level by delivering speeches, workshops and plenaries to delegations from more than 50 countries. A number of gold medallist Paralympians will also input into sessions as panel experts and moderators.

Dr Stephen Duckworth, chairman of the 2016 RI World Congress programme board, said: “The World Congress brings together a global network of member countries who work to promote the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities or health problems. It is a significant and powerful event which can effect real change across the globe.

“This year’s theme of inclusion aims to help remove barriers which prevent disabled people from living the life they want. Over the course of three days we hope to motivate and energise people across the world by bringing new ideas and sharing best practices to help create a society which is better for everyone.”

Sturgeon said: “I look forward to welcoming the Rehabilitation International World Congress to Scotland later this month. It will allow us to share best practice from around the world and look at how we can work together to remove the barriers which prevent disabled people from living the life they want to. Scotland is an inclusive nation and the Scottish Government strives to ensure that no-one is left behind or excluded from society.”

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